Feed-water regulator.



No. 627,760. Patented June 27, I899. J. NUTTING.

FEED WATER REGULATOR.

(Application filed Nov. 29, 1898 (No Model.)

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m: NORFVS PEYERS 6o. Pncnaumu. WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT 'FFICE;

JOSEPH NUTTING, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

FEED-WATER REGULATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 627,760, dated June 27,1899.

Application filed November 29, 1898. Serial No. 697,793. (No model.)

" ject of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and a resident ofBalham Grove, Bal- -ham, London, England, have invented acertain new anduseful Feed-Water Regulator, (for which I have made application for apat ent in Great Britain, No. 13,514, dated June 17, 1898,) of which thefollowing is a'specification.

The object of myinvention is to provide simple and reliable self-actingapparatus by which the feed-water supply to steam-boilers will beautomatically regulated in accordance with the rate of evaporation andconsequent variations of the water-level within the boiler.

The operation of the apparatus depends upon the longitudinal expansionand contraction of a metallic tube when subjected to variations oftemperature. The tube is disposed with a suitable inclination from thehorizontal, and its upper end is immovably fixed and in freecommunication with the steam-space of the boiler and its lower end withthe water-space thereof in such manner that the upper part of theexpansion-tube always contains steam. of a temperature corresponding tothe pressure and the lower part contains water of orless than thetemperature existing at or near thelower part of the boiler. Thus thewater-level in the expansion-tube will Vary exactly with that in theboiler, and hence it follows that as the water falls more steam willenter the tube, the high temperature of which will cause longitudinalexpansion thereof, and vice versa. The motions of said tube are utilizedeither directly or indireotly through suitable multiplying gear tooperate a lever, wheel, or other equivalent important element of thecombination, since in its absence any failure might not be discovereduntil the water-level had become unduly lowered or an accident hadactually occurred.

It will be obvious that the arrangement of the apparatus may takevarious forms to adapt it to different types of boilers, space atcommand, 850.; but I will fully describe one arrangement whichexperiment has proved to be useful, reliable, and efficient.

The figure is a general elevation showing the whole of the partscomprised in my in vention as applied to a vertical steam-boiler A, fedby a pump the suction-pipe P of which is submerged in a water-tank T.

E is the metallic expansion-tube,which may be straight, as illustrated,orserpentine. It is disposed in an inclined position in such manner thatwhen the water in the boiler is at normal working level the line thereofWL occur. This may be considered a somewhat will pass through the tube Eabout itsmidlength, as illustrated, or below same. The tube E isimmovably fixed at its upper end E to a permanent'bearing 2; but itslower end E is allowed free movements of expansion and contraction andis supported, preferably,

on a roller or rollers ate. The upper and fixed end E is connected tothe steam-space A of the boiler A by the pipe B, fitted with stop-cockb, and the lower end E is connected to the lower part of the water-spaceA of the boiler by pipe 0, which is fitted with stopcock 0 and blow-outcock 0. The motions imparted to the pipe 0 by the expansion orcontraction of the tube E may be taken up by the bond 0 or anexpansion-joint may be inserted. The expansion motion of the tube E at Eis imparted to a lever L directly or indirectly by any suitable kind ofmultiplying-gear, such as a rack and pinion or quadrant or the like. Inthe drawing a very simple direct arrangement is shown. The end E isprovided (outside its connection with pipe 0) with an extension D,having a chisel- IOO tle or steam valve. The drawing shows a rotaryhit-and-miss valve V, mounted on a seating with corresponding aperturesfixed to the foot of the suction-pipe P in the water-tank inlet of morefeed-water to the feed-pump.

Conversely, if the water-level rises the expansi0n-tube E becomes.cooled and contracts, closing the valve V and diminishing or completelyshutting off the feed-supply. By closing cock 0 and opening cock 0' thetube E and all the pipes can be blown through when required.

The alarm-whistle, in combination with the above-described arrangement,is shown at G, and its steam-valve is normally held closed by a lever g,pressed by a weight g. This is so disposed as to be lifted by the leverL and then free the whistle-valve when the said lever has risen, asdescribed, to the position shown in dotted lines, owing to continuedfall of water in the boiler to a predetermined point consistent withsafety of the boiler. The drawing shows the lever L bent over at L forthe purpose of conveniently engaging the weight; but any convenientarrangement may be adopted.

No parts are liable to derangement, and the arrangement is both simple,inxpensive, and reliable, and any failure is at once audibly indicated,so that it may be remedied without risk of serious accident.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, ish In combination with a boiler, an inclinedexpansion-tube having one end fixed, pipes connecting the ends of saidtube respectively with the steam and water spaces of the boiler, a leverhaving one end pivoted in proximity to the said tube and bearingthereagainst, said lever curving back above the tube and having itsopposite end curved back upon the body thereof, a connection from saidlever to a part controlling delivery to the boiler, and a signal-leverarranged to be operated by said backwardly-curved end, substantially asdescribed.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JosEPi-I NUTTING.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH O. CHAPMAN, ALFRED B. CAMPBELL.

